Lightly, O lightly we bear her along, She sways like a flower in the wind of our song； She skims like a bird on the foam¹ of a stream, She floats like a laugh from the lips of a dream. Gaily², O gaily we glide³ and we sing, We bear her along like a pearl on a string.

    Softly, O softly we bear her along, She hangs like a star in the dew of our song； She springs like a beam on the brow of the tide, She falls like a tear from the eyes of a bride. Lightly, O lightly we glide and we sing, We bear her along like a pearl on a string.